Devils-Blues Preview

After being embarrassed last week by the New Jersey Devils, the St. Louis Blues didn’t need to wait long for a chance at redemption.

They’ll try to avenge their worst loss in nearly three years on Tuesday night when they host the Devils, who come off a lopsided defeat of their own.

St. Louis (35-11-5) suffered a 7-1 loss at New Jersey last Tuesday, the team’s largest margin of defeat since being routed 6-0 by Calgary on March 1, 2011.

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The Blues bounced back for two victories to wrap up their four-game trip, knocking off the New York Rangers 2-1 on Thursday before claiming a 4-3 shootout win over the Islanders on Saturday.

"We’ve been working hard on this trip," T.J. Oshie, who scored with 27 seconds remaining on Saturday to force overtime, told the team’s website. "We had a tough game in New Jersey, but other than that, we’ve been playing pretty good team hockey."

St. Louis’ win against the Islanders came with some controversy. Thomas Vanek appeared to score the winner with 1:15 left in the extra period, but league offices overturned the goal, which deflected off Vanek’s skate blade.

Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk – who combined for three assists earlier – scored in the shootout to help secure the victory.

The Blues, who had trailed 2-0 at the 15:11 mark of the first period, outshot the Islanders 14-7 in the third after being outshot 26-18 over the first 40 minutes of play.

"This was a good, gritty road win," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I liked the way the team played in the third period."

New Jersey (22-20-11) surrendered seven goals for the first time since Dec. 18, 2010, in a 7-3 loss to the Rangers in Sunday’s Stadium Series contest at Yankee Stadium.

The Devils conceded six unanswered goals – four in the second period alone – after Patrik Elias netted two to help build a 3-1 first-period lead.

"They changed the game in the second period," said Jaromir Jagr, who had two assists in the first period. He has three goals and five assists over his last six games. "They were flying into our zone, and we didn’t react to it."

New Jersey became the final team this season to change goalies during a game. Martin Brodeur was yanked in favor of Cory Schneider after giving up the first six goals on just 21 shots.

"You rely a lot on instinct, and poise, and I couldn’t close my glove, it was so cold," Brodeur said.

Schneider figures to be a solid option Tuesday versus St. Louis. He owns a 1.09 goals-against average over his last eight starts and is 3-1-1 in five starts against the Blues with a 1.77 GAA.

St. Louis’ Brian Elliott was pulled from last week’s matchup after allowing three goals on nine shots. Jaroslav Halak didn’t fare much better in relief, giving up four goals on 14 shots.

Steen, who has six points over his last four games, has four goals in his last five matchups with New Jersey.

The Blues will be looking for their West-leading 17th win of the season over an Eastern Conference opponent. They own a league-best winning percentage of .730 in interconference play dating back to 2009-10.